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Whether you are a band searching for a venue to play at or just an avid fan looking for shows that are close to you, here is a breakdown of venues that are located in Omaha, Nebraska.

The Waiting Room:

Address: 6212 Maple Street Omaha, NE: Map
Ticket Information: Information for tickets
Line-up: Waiting Room Line-up and events History of Venue: The Waiting Room was opened by Marc Leibowitz and Jim Johnson who created One Percent Productions, an Omaha-based booking company. The venue is four years old and has been recently renovated with new sound and light equipment.
Why you want to play here: Great sound system and lights, medium-sized intimate venue that is capable of being filled.
Why you don’t want to play here: As great as the venue is, the owners and employees are the complete opposite.
Why you want to see a show here: Great sound and lighting. This is a medium-sized venue and you will have a great chance to interact with the bands and performers. There are great drink specials and some of the staff is friendly.
Why you don’t want to see a show here: Some of the employees are rude and will kick you out
All ages show policy: Information and form
Overall review: ★★★✰✰

The Slowdown:

Address: 729 North 14th Street Omaha, NE 68102 (402.345.7569) Map Ticket Information: Information for tickets
Line-up: Event and Line-up
History of Venue: Complete history and complete list of all events (Very impressive website)
Why you want to play here: It’s the newest venue in town. It has sound and lighting that is above excellent. The owners and employees are friendly. There are two stages that you can play on depending how many tickets you expect to sell. There is a small stage that local bands usually play on and there is a wall that will slide and open up a large venue that is closed off unless being used. There is an amazing balcony that opens up as well and the stage is large enough for acts like Of Montreal who have elaborate stage settings. This is probably the best place to get a gig at in Omaha. Booking information is referred to Val Nelson.
Why you don’t want to play here: If you find a reason, let me know.
Why you want to see a show here: The best bands in town play shows here. There are more regional and national acts. The location is a quick taxi cab ride from any downtown location. The sound and lighting will amaze you.
Why you don’t want to see a show here: There is no reason, just remember to bring a valid ID. They are sticklers about IDs, but aren’t all venues in town?
All ages show policy: Information and form
Overall review: ★★★★★

The Hole:

Address:6005 Maple St. Omaha, NE 68104 (Enter through alley)
Ticket Information: Ticket Information
Line-up: Event and Line-up History of Venue: the Hole began as the brain child of Donny Diederich, former pro skater and owner of Convicted Skate Shop. The Hole is an all ages venue that, unlike other all ages venues in Omaha, doesn’t have to abide by the Omaha city ordinance which states that “any person under the age of 18 must have a notarized permission slip from their parents to attend shows”. This is because the Hole DOES NOT serve alcohol and we strictly enforce a NO ALCOHOL/DRUGS rule! If you bring alcohol or drugs into the Hole you will be asked to leave and perhaps banned from coming to future events. The Hole believes that music is a wonderful gift that people should be able to enjoy, no matter your age! The Hole is a DIY collaboration of like-minded individuals that strive to maintain a safe and enjoyable venue for bands and fans of all ages to enjoy!
Why you want to play here: People always show up and have a good time!
Why you don’t want to play here: It’s a small venue with rudimentary equipment and lighting.
Why you want to see a show here: It’s a fun place with a wide audience.
Why you don’t want to see a show here: You will feel old even though you aren’t. With an all ages policy, there are middle school aged kids here. Hello high school flashbacks! Be prepared.
All ages show policy: Everyone is welcome, no permission slip needed.
Overall review: ★★★★✰

The Sokol and Sokol Underground:

Address: 2234 S. 13th St. Omaha, NE 68108 (Driving Instructions)Ticket Information:Tickets are sold at Homer’s Music
Line-up: Event and Line-up
History of Venue: Interesting article on the history of the Sokol Auditorium.
Why you want to play here: There are two venues the Auditorium and the Underground. Both venues offer a different “feel”. The Auditorium is for acts that will gather a large crowd. There is a balcony and separate room for merchandise tables. The Underground is smaller and dingy, but a good kind of dingy, the kind of dingy a music venue is supposed to have.
Why you don’t want to play here: Some people won’t go to a show here because of the neighborhood that it is located in.
Why you want to see a show here: There are amazing bands that come and the place is always packed. It’s fun to be in the middle of a crowd and feel other people’s sweat, this is how music is supposed to be enjoyed. However, if you don’t like being in the crowd you have the option to arrive early and watch the band from the balcony. There are even benches on the balcony that you can sit on. However, if you use them I would have to consider you a wallflower.
Why you don’t want to see a show here: The parking is a little tough, but just arrive early and it shouldn’t be that big of an ordeal. Don’t leave anything valuable in your car, your windows could get smashed out. Take a taxi if you can.
Overall review: ★★★★★

If you have any specific questions about the venues or booking then just send me a comment. I am more than willing to answer any questions that you may have.

If you’re not from Omaha, then you may not know about The Faint. The Faint is quite possibly one of the best, if not the best, Indie-Techno band to ever have come out of Omaha. While they are gaining fame and popularity world-wide, they keep their roots true to Omaha and never forget where they hailed from. Last Saturday night, the Faint opened up their practice space on 24th and Leavenworth and held an underground concert called Ratfest. At Ratfest many bands joined forces and reunited to form a time machine that took all audience members back to the late 90’s. It was awesome!

The Faint has music that is original, intellectual and danceable, all at the same time. Their newest album dropped last August, and I’m still addicted to it. All the songs on Faciination are really solid. This is a CD that you can listen to in its entirety.

I think it’s really unique that The Faint also throw dance parties in Omaha called GOO. GOO is amazing because The Faint actually DJ the dance party, along with members of Tilly and the Wall and other guest DJs that randomly stop by. You can checkout the event lineup on their GOO Facebook. There’s always a theme to each party, so I highly encourage checking out the theme before you go, so you can plan your costume!

Not only does The Faint have amazing music, but they also have incredibly unique music videos. I love their oldest music video for the song “I Disappear”. I feel that you really get a feeling of what their live shows are like. The way in which it is filmed is really unique because they are always white, I feel that it’s a really cool metaphor for disappearing. I also love how the synthesizer player moves with the beats in a nonchalant manner. Take a look at the video, you’ll experience a little bit of The Faint.

And everyone in Omaha knows that The Faint always play a show in November or December, rumor has it that the date of their show will be released in the next week. A great place to stake the lookout would have to be 1% Productions. So keep on checking out 1% Productions and go buy tickets to their show if you’ve never seen them. Their live shows are a mind-warp, and there’s no way that you can leave without being covered in sweat that isn’t your own and a smile on your face.